New technologies offer opportunities for Papurau Bro

The Welsh language should make the most of opportunities offered by new media and technology, the Minister with responsibility for the Welsh Language, Leighton Andrews, has said.

Wednesday 01 August 2012

The Minister, who is due to address the national meeting of the Papurau Bro at the Eisteddfod on Monday (6th August), has called on Papurau Bro to utilise the latest technologies to capture new audiences and connect with the younger generation.

Leighton Andrews said:

“We want people to see that Welsh is a modern and living language. In order to do this we must make sure the language is available to all and in every form of communication.”

“The Papurau Bro are an important Welsh tradition, but as more people turn to new technology for their news it is vital that they make use of these new methods of communication.”

“There are many opportunities available to help the publishing of Papurau Bro move with the times, from the design and typesetting to using Hyperlocal for promotion. There’s also a whole host of technology available to make them accessible to a wider audience and give space to new voices.”

Bryan James, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Dinesydd, said:

“Our national meetings at the Eisteddfod are an opportunity to share ideas and discuss issues relating to Papurau Bro and we are looking forward to hearing the Minister’s views on the subject of new media and technology.”

The Welsh Government’s new Welsh Language Strategy, A living language: a language for living, places great importance on the role that technology and digital media will play in the future of the language and earlier this year the Welsh Language, Technology and Digital Media Group was set up to advise on this part of the strategy.

The Minister added:

“In the twenty-first century the existence of Welsh language digital media content and apps not only allows the Welsh language to flourish but also enables Welsh speakers to participate fully as digital citizens.”

“We must make sure the Welsh language is not left behind by the latest technologies and instead use them to demonstrate that the Welsh language is a creative, powerful, adaptive and modern medium.”

The Minister will discuss the benefits of new media and technology at the national meeting of the papurau bro at Pabell Cymdeithasau 1, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Bro Morgannwg 2012, at 14:00 on Saturday 4th August. The public are invited to join in with discussions at the event.

Notes

Papurau Bro are a network of 52 local community newspapers across Wales, mostly produced by volunteers and published monthly. They contain local news, details of upcoming events and have information about individuals in the community, including births, deaths and marriages.